Street-indicator.



J. BIRD.

STREET INDICATOR.

APPLlcAioN FILED APR.14,1916.

l 9225,2146 Patented May 8, 1917.

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NFFE STATES JAMES BIRD, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

STREET-INDICATOR.

Application led April 14, 1916.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that JAMES BIRD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Street-Indicators.

My invention relates to mechanically operated street indicators for use on street cars or like conveyances.

@ne of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient means of indicating the names of streets so the passengers in a street car can see at a glance the name of the street which they are approaching.

To accomplish this object under all conditions a curtain is provided having names printed thereon, (on both sides when necessary) and means to move said curtain and indicate the streets from one end of a line to another; to indicate the streets in a reverse manner from the end of the line to the starting point; to indicate the streets from the end of the line to the starting` point when a car returns partly or wholly by a route different from the one taken to goto the end of the line; and to indicate the streets to and from any portion of a line when a car makes an incomplete trip.

My indicator can also be used on steam cars to indicate the stations in a similar manner to the indication of streets for a street car.

One of the advantages secured by my improvement is the movement of the curtain, having the street naines. an equal distance each time it is operated, so the names always register with the sight opening and this is accomplished by taking hold of and driving the curtain itself instead of driving a roller on which the curtain is wound. ln the latter case the names cannot be placed at equally spaced distances on the curtain as the curtain will travel farther and farther for each rotation of the roller as the curtain becomes wound thereon.

Further objects and advantages are fully set forth in the accompanying specification and drawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved street car indicator as it will look in the end of a street car and showing the name of a street as William through the sight opening.

Fig. 2 is a partial section through the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 8, i917.

Serial No. 911,242.

sight opening and as indicated by line 2-2 in Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a view looking' into my improved indicator and with the cover removed and the curtain partly removed. Fig. 4 is a section on the line M of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a partial section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. F ig. 6 is a view of my improved indicator with the cover open and the two frames drawn out to show the method of fastening and their operation. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the ratchet mechanism on the operating rollers shown on line 7 7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of one end of the rack for operating the storage rollers. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the ends of the storage roller showing a slot. l0 is an enlarged view of the section on line lO-lO of Fig. 3, andV sho-wing the ratchet mechanism for the storage rollers.

Referring to Figs. l, 2 and G, l is the box and 2 the cover of my improved street indicator. y 3 is the outer and 4 the inner of two frames mounted in the box l. frame 3 is provided as a carrier of the frame 4 and is hinged to the box l by means of hinges G, 6 which are opposite to the hinges 5, 5 of the box and cover, as a convenient means for swinging the frames 3 and 4 clear of the box l and the cover 2.

3, 3, 81, 31, are holes in frame 4 into which project the shafts G0. G01 (see Fig. which latter carries the storage rollers 32 and S21. Curtain 38 (Fig. 3) is wound onto and stretched between storage rollers 82 and S21 and can be reversed by means of the frames 3 and 4 being drawn out from the bon 2 (Fig. 6) and the frame 4 being swung around on the pivots ll, ll, which fasten frames 3 and 4 together. 13 is a sight opening in the cover 2 and having glass 7 through which the names of the street on the curtain 38 can be seen. l0, l0 and 101, 101 are slots cut in frame and 9, 9 and 91, 91 are slots cut in frame 3 to clear shafts 37, 371. upon which are fastenedL the operating rollers 49, 50 and 491, 501. The shafts 37, 371 are rotatably mounted at each end in the box l, andhave collars 85, 85, and 851, 351 fastened thereon. 33 and 331 are gears rotatably mounted on the shafts 37, 371 between the rollers 49, 50 and 491, 501 and are connected with and operate said rollers by means of ratchet mechanism shown in detail in Fig. 7. This ratchet mechanism consistsof a toothed wheel-34 `lll fastened on each side of the gears 33 and 331 and engaged with the rollers 49, 50 and 491, 501 by means of dogs 36, 36, etc., and springs 35, 35, etc.

39, 391 are shafts (see Figs. 4 and 5) car rying rollers 40, 401 for pressing the curtain 38 tightly against operating rollers 49, 50 and 491, 501 by means of springs 42, 42 and 421, 421 pressing against bearings 41, 41 and 411, 411. The shafts, rollers, bearings and springs just mentioned are all mounted in the cover 2. Also in the cover 2 are mounted the shafts 12, 121 over which the curtain 38 is guided from the operating rollers 49, 50 and 491, 501 to the storage rollers 82, 821.

83, 831 are washers loosely mounted on shafts 37 371 and having a toothed surface to engage with a like toothed surface on the ends of the rollers 49, 491. 84, 841 are springs on the shafts 37 371 and between th'e washers 83, 831 and collars 46, 461 to keep the washers engaged with the shafts 49, 491 when the rollers move in the direction indicated by the arrows.

46, 461 (Fig. 3) are collars loosely mounted on the shafts 37 and 371 and have cams 48, 48,1 which engage with the pins 47, 471 which are mounted in the ends of the .washers 83, 831. rllhe collars 46 and 461 have only alongitudinal movement on the shafts 37 371 by reason of pins 44, 441 operating in slots 45, v451 in guide 43, 431 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. y

59, 591 are gears mounted on shafts 37, 371 and driven by the latter by means of the feathers 58, 581 (Fig. 52, 521 are springs between the gears 59, 591 and the collars 53, 531 which are fastened on the shafts 37, 371. 51, 511 are racks to mesh with the gears 59, 591 and 87 is a spring fastened to 51 and 511 to hold them in normal position shown. 54, 541 are housings for carrying the racks 51, 511 and springs one of which 55 is shown. 62, 621 are brackets fastened to the box 1 and carry the housings 54, 541. 56 and 561 are racks to engage and operate gears 67 and 70 as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. V5 and to operate, gears 68 and 69 when the frame 4 carrying the rollers 82, 821 is reversed as shown in Fig. 6.

Racks 56, 561 are also reversible as shown by detail in Fig. 8 in which the pin 57 holds the rack 56 in position in one direction and can also be removed and replaced to hold the rack 56 in the reverse direction to that shown.

60, 601 are shafts on which the rollers 82, 821 are fastened and which are held sta tionary by friction in the bearings 63, 64 and 65, 66, except when operated by the rack and gear, said bearings being mounted in the frame 4.

The gear 67 is loosely mounted on the.

shaft 60 and has a hub 71 on which are cut ratchet teeth 75 on its inner end next to the flange 81 of roller 82. This gear 67 is connected to and operates the storage roller 82 by means of the ratchet mechanism shown in detail in Fig. 10, in which 60 is the shaft, 71 the gear hub, and 75 the ratchet teeth.

77 is a pin fastened into the shank 86 of the ratchet pin 78. 76 is a button on the end of shank 86. 79 is a spring for holding the ratchet pin 7 8in operative position with the teeth 75. 80 is a boss on the flange 81 for holding the ratchet pin 78 and spring 79. The ratchet pin 78 has one side fiat for engaging in the ratchet teeth 75 to drive the roller 82 when the gear 67 'is moved in one direction by the rack 56, while it is beveled on the opposite side to allow the pin 78 to rise from the ratchet teeth, when the gear 67 is moved in the opposite direction by the rack 56. The pin 77 is in a slot in the boss 80 as shown and to reverse the direction which the gear 67 will move the roller 82, the ratchet pin 78 is reversed by reversing the pin 77.

The gear 68 has a hub 72 on which are cut ratchet teeth 75 on its inner end next to a second flange 81 of the roller 82. lNhen the storage roller 82 is reversed the gear 68 is in a position to be operated by the rack 56, through the gear 68 and its ratchet teeth 75 and a ratchet mechanism shown in detail in Fig. 10. l

1n a similar manner the gear 69 has a hub 73 withl ratchet teeth 75 and gear 70 has a hub 7 4 with ratchet teeth 75.

The gears 69 and 70 are connected to and opera-te the storage roller 821 through the iianges 811, 811 with the same ratchet mechanism as described and shown in detail in Fig. 10.

61, 61 and 611, 611 are slots in the ends of the shafts 60 and 601 for the purpose of inserting a screw driver or similar tool to revolve the shaft 60 or 601 independent of the action of the rack 56 or 561.

This slot is shown enlarged in Fig.

In Figs. 2, 3 and 5-18 and 25 are bearings fastened to the boX 1 and supporting the shaft 14. The shaft 14 extends through the box 1 and has suitable means attached to it (not shown) to draw it endwise through the boX 1 and so compress the spring 17 which returns the shaft 14 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 when released. 16 is a collar fastened on shaft 14 and against which the spring l17 bears. 15 is a square portion of the shaft 14 which acts as a guide for the two flat plates 22, 221 which rest against it. 21 is a distance piece between the plates 22, 221 and forms a stop for them against the shaft 14. 24 is a sector fastened to plate 22 and having pegs 23, 23, etc., which are adapted to mesh with the teeth of the gear 33. 241 is a sector fastened to the plate 221 and having pegs 231, 231, etc., which are adapted to mesh with the teeth of the gear 331 when the plates 221 are moved 180O to the position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. 32, 321 are arms on the plates 22, 221 which span the collar 26 and are pivoted to it by the pivot pins 29, 291, which latter are solid in the collar 26. 19, 191 are springs, one of the ends of which are coiled around the pins 29, 291 and fastened solidly thereto and haring their opposite ends pressing against the stop pegs 20, 201.

30 is a stud solidly fixed in the shaft 14 and having a cross piece on which are pivoted the two rollers 31, 31.

The bearing 25 has a slot 27 extendingaround it for the reception of the pins 28, 281, which hold the collar 26 in place on the bearing 25 and allow it to be revolved thereon.

The operation of the indicator is as follows-Assuming that the name of a street, as William, (see Fig. 1), is shown by the indicator, to move the curtain so the succeeding street name may show, the shaft 14 is pulled in the direction of the arrow C by suitable means attached to the shaft for that purpose (but not shown), and compresses the spring 17. The rollers 31, 31 then come in contact with the plates 22, 221 and move them on the pivot pins 29, 291 in the direction of the arrow D and against the springs 19, 191. This brings the pegs 23, 23, etc., into mesh with the teeth of the gear 33 and rotates the roller 49, 50, in the direction of the arrow A thereby drawing the curtain 38 from the roller 821, between the rollers 491, 501 and 401. As soon as the rollers 49, 50 commence to rotate the pin 47 acting on the cam 48 moves the collar 46 longitudinally on the shaft 37 (by reason of the pin 44 moving in slot of guide 43) and against the gear 59 and slides it longitudinally on the shaft 37 and feather 58 until it is in mesh with the rack 51. The rollers 49, 50 continuing to rotate, the rack 51 is moved so the rack 56 meshes with the gear 67 and rotates the storage roller 82. IThis rotation of storage roller 82 winds the curtain 38 upon it as fast as it passes between the rollers 49, 50 and 40. The storage roller 82 being larger than the operating rollers 49, 50 and becoming larger at each rotation, as the curtain 38 is wound thereon, the rack 51 compresses the spring` 55 and equalizes the amount of travel between the storage roller 82 and the operating` rollers 49, 50. rfhe shaft 14 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow C to stop (not shown) so the movement of the curtain 38 is such that the name of a new street is in the proper position to be read through the glass 7 when the washer 83 has made a complete rotation. When the washer 83 has made a complete rotation the pin 47 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the spring 52 has just pushed the gear 59 out of mesh with the rack 51 allowing the spring 87 to return the racks 51 and 56 to the position shown. While the rack 56 is returning to the position shown in Fig. 3 the gear 67 is rotated fully on the shaft 60 and independent of the roller 82 by reason of the ratchet mechanism shown in detail in Fig. 10, and the roller 82 remains stationary by reason of the shaft 60 having a friction tight bearing in the bearings 63, 64.

The shaft 14 is released as soon as it reaches the stop (before mentioned) and is returned to the position shown in Fig. 3 by the spring 17 while the plates 22, 221 and sectors, 24, 241 are returned by the springs 19, 191. During this returning movement of the sectors 24, 241 the gear 33 rotates freely on the shaft 37, and the rollers 49, 50 remain stationary by reason of the ratchet mecaa.- nism shown in detail in Fig. 7. In likel manner each street is shown by pulling the shaft 14 and letting it return to position shown 2n Fig. 3.

YV hen the curtain has been completely rolled from storage roller 821 to storage roller 82, it is returned to the storage roller 821 (and the streets are shown in a reverse order) by moving the sectors 24 and 241 as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4 so the pegs l 231, 231, etc., mesh with the gear 331 on shaft 37.

Th' f e f tl e c tv' 3" f is moi einenU o ie cur am 8 irom roller 821 to 82 or viceversa can of course take place and hence the street names be shown, forward or backward from any point.

When it is desired to move the curtain 33 independently of the operation of the shaft 14, a key can be inserted in either of the slots 61, 61 of the shaft 60 or in 611, 611 of the shaft 601 and then rotate the shaft 61 or 611 until the proper street name is shown through the glass 7.

The back side of the curtain 38, (or the side which is shown in Fig. 4 as being away i from the glass 7 may be provided with set of street names so a car may return from the end of the line to the starting point by a different ronte. The latter street names may be put into position to be shown by opening the box 1 and swinging out the frames 3 and 4 and reversin frame 4, which carries the storage rollers 82 and 821 and the curtain 38, and replacing the frames 3 and 4.

The desired movement of rollers 82, 821 l roller on said second shaft which is adapted to move said curtain by frictional contact therewith, means to Operate said operating roller, a pinion on said storage roller shaft and a rack to mesh with said pinion and adapted to operate said storage roller and wind said curtain thereon, a second rack operatively connected to said first rack and a pinion on said operating roller shaft normally held out of contact with'said second rack and adapted t-o mesh with and operate said second rack when said operating roller is moving said curtain.

2. In a car indicator for streets, the combination of a box, a curtain having the names of streets thereon, two storage rollers to which are attached, and upon which are wound said curtain, two operating rollers, the lirst of which is adapted to move said curtain from the rst storage roller to the second storage roller and the second of which is adapted to movevsaid curtain from the second storage roller to the lirst .storage roller, reversible means to operate said op erating rollers alternatively, means for operating said storage rollers from said operating rollers, said means consisting of racks and pinions, which are normally held out of mesh with each other and adapted to be brought into mesh with each other by movement of the operating roller.

3. ln a car indicator for streets, the combination, of a box, a sight opening in said box, a curtain in said box having the naines of streets on both sides thereof, a storage roller in said box to which said curtain is attached, an operating roller in said box adapted to move said curtain by rictional contact therewith, means to reverse said storage roller whereby the names on either side of said curtain may be shown through said sight opening, means to rotate said operating roller to show the names of said streets successively, and means between said operating roller and said storage roller to rotate said storage roller and store said curtain when in the -original or reverse position, said latter means consisting of pinions connected to said operating and storage rollers and two racks yieldingly connected to each other and adapted to be brought into and out of mesh with said pinions, and one of said racks adapted to be reversed.

4. ln a car indicator for streets, the combination of a box, a sight opening in said box, an operating roller journaled in said box, two trames in said box which are pivotally connected, and the outer otwhich is hinged to said box, two storage rollers astened to the inner one of said trames, a curtain on said storage rollers and having the names of streets on both sides thereof and means to operate said operating roller whereby the names on both sides ot' said curtain may be successively shown through said sight opening.

5. In a car indicator for streets, the combination, of a box, a sight opening in said box, a curtain having the names of streets thereon, a storage roller to which said curtain is attached, an operating roller adapted to move said curtain across said sight opening toward said storage roller, means to operate said operating roller and means to rotate said storage roller from said operating roller, said latter means consisting of a pinion connected to said storage roller by a ratchet mechanism, a rack adapted to mesh with and rotate said pinion, a second pinion connected to said operating roller through a ratchet mechanism, a second rack yieldingly connected to said first rack and means to throw said second pinion into and out of mesh with said second rack.

6. In a car indicator for streets, a box, a cover for said box having a sight opening, two operating rollers journaled in said box, two frames in said box which are pivotally connected and the outer or" which is hinged to said box, two storage rollers `iournaled to the inner one of said frames, a curtain on said storage rollers and having the names of streets thereon, means to hold said curtain in contact with said operating rollers, gears on said operating rollers, plates to which are attached two sectors having pegs to mesh with said gears and rotate said operating rollers alternatively, and a second set of gears on said operating rollers to operate said storage rollers by means of racks and gears on said storage rollers.

In testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES BIRD.

Witnesses:

EDWARD GRAM, EDWARD C. CALLANAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. E. l 

